Tie One On Tuesday

 via smashing tube

This years marks the year of the dragon in the Chinese New Year. It's OMP's year! YAHOO! Bring me some good luck! Maybe I should have him play the lottery?


This may be the easiest cocktail ever but hey, when you're celebrating the new year, you don't want to be tied to the bar.

Purple Dragon
1 oz green tea
1 oz vodka
3-4 ounces dark berry juice (or grape juice but I prefer a blackberry juice)
Mix together over ice and enjoy. This drinks comes on very slowly but after a few you will be feeling the wrath of the purple dragon.

I'm pretty sure this next cocktails was custom made for OMP


The Angry Dragon
2 tablespoons dragon fruit juice, if you can't find dragon fruit, kiwi or pear juice will work fine.
1 oz. sake
1 oz citrus vodka
3/4 oz jasmine syrup (simple syrup with jasmine tea, see recipe here)
1 tablespoon mandarine orange juice
Mix together in a shaker with ice and serve in a martini glass


What do you give a dragon when he wakes up? A rising dragon cocktail, of course and maybe some bacon. Dragons, I'm sure love bacon.

Rising Dragon Cocktail
1 1/2oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Red passion liqueur
1/4oz. lime juice
Splash of cranberry juice
Pour into shaker with ice and serve in a chilled martini glass.

Happy Dragon New Year! I hope it's filled with happiness and prosperity.

Ride to Freedom

It's a well known fact that little girls love horses. Little girls and ponies go together like sugar and spice. I've thought about why we love them so much and came to the conclusion that it might not be the horse we love but the freedom that comes along with it. We can be wild, free, go where we want and have a companion that loves us know matter what. We can lift ourselves out of those societal norms. Besides that, horseback riding is fun! 

I don't know one person who does not love National Velvet. This family movie was up for several Oscars and showcased a beautiful young Elizabeth Taylor in one of her best roles ever. This movie is more than just a story about a horse, it's a movie about redemption and the human spirit.

I remember being a little girl and seeing Black Stallion. I instantly fell in love with horses and knew one day I would ride the beach on a beautiful horse. So, that hasn't happen yet, and I stress YET but it doesn't deter me from watching Black Stallion over and over again. Like National Velvet, this movie is a classic and I recently found out that the little boy was a ranch hand that was scouted to play the role. Also like National Velvet, it costars Mickey Rooney. Wow, how's that for typecasting?  While traveling, both boy and horse survive a horrible ship wreck. The learn to live together, work together and be one. It can be a little slow for some kids due to lack of dialogue, but, as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

I can't believe I'm mentioning a movie that was made in the last decade, but here it goes. Secretariat is a great film for two reasons: 1-it tells the story or the underdog, which we all love and 2-It's a true story which makes it even better for the underdog angle. Yes, I know Disney made it, but cut them some slack, they did a decent job and yes, I did cry in certain parts. They know what they're doing. I've heard a lot of bad reviews about this movie saying that it showcased the people rather than the horse. I would have to disagree. I believe it told the story of the whole package, the will to go on and the strength of both animal and human.

If you have extra time, also check out these great horse movies. They won't disappoint: Hildaglo (Oh Viggo, you are too yummy for words), Flicka (remember reading this in grade school?) and Buck (the real horse whisperer).

Horses offer freedom that very few of us posses. They can be our best friend, our confidants, our means of escape. Aaaahhhhh....these movies and the ponies they feature make me want for a different time. Now, if you excuse me, I'm gonna jump on my stick horse and gallop into the sunset. Happy trails!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Sunday mornings are pretty special at Casa de Pedersen. We love to sit back, have a cup of coffee and prepare for the day. This morning was extra special. I heard a knock at my door and was greeted by the most perfect rainbow. How can my day go bad when a rainbow comes by and says hello.

Lola, on the other hand, was less excited about the rainbow. Her morning nap was interrupted. Help me Rhonda, she has a cowlick.

Jujube was creating nose art on the window. She was painting the rainbow. Can you believe that this picture was taken five minutes after the rainbow appeared? Crazy weather!

And Pete....Decaf my little man, for the love of all things holy, switch to decaf.

Salivating Saturday

Yesterday was a rough day for OMP so I wanted to surprise him with a special treat. Get your minds out of the gutter! I decided to treat him to two of the best things in the world (I said, get your minds out of the gutter)-Chocolate and salt. I have to tell you, these are the yummiest cookies ever. Sweet and savory together-pure heaven!


I found this recipe on Annie's Eats. If you haven't been over to that blog, you are missing out! Super easy recipes, incredibly friendly people and did I mention Salted Chocolate Cookies? You heard me right, SALTED CHOCOLATE COOKIES!

Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. fleur de sel (sea salt), plus more for sprinkling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Combine the 8 ounces chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, and heat until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. (Alternatively, heat in the microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring in between.) In another mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 4-5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the melted chocolate mixture, blending until incorporated. Add in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Fold in the remaining chopped chocolate with a spatula. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2-3 inches apart (I used my medium-sized dough scoop).

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the cookies are just slightly soft in the center and crackly on top, about 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with additional salt and let cool on the baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

The only thing I did different is that I used a 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips instead of crushing the chocolate. Also, I didn't have a melon baller so mine looked a little like cow patties, but dang, they are still good. 


OMP showered me with kisses and I was the hero for the day.

Cuties for a Cutie

I love Valentines Day. Everything is so stinking cute and everyone is so lovey dovey. I miss the days back in school when we made little mailboxes and everyone handed out little valentines. Do they even do that anymore or have they banned it because Valentine cards will give papercuts?

Anyhoo, before I go on a rant about taking the fun out of school, I will share some of my favorite vintage Valentines with you. Yes, I collect these too. What? Don't judge. I think these would be great for stitching. The line art makes such amazing patterns.


Awww, the boss of the ranch. Killing me with cuteness!


She is adorable but I'm pretty sure she needs black hair.


Oh, that is so kittykill!


I am SOOOO stitching this one up for OMP!

Go out and use these Valentines for your sweetie or secret crush. Who knows, maybe they will the boss of your ranch...WINK!

Tie One On Tuesday

Ah nature! Little woodland creatures, outside my window, mocking me with their freedom. Makes me want to have a drink in their honor...


How can anyone resist a cute little fuzzy squirrel? They eat everything out of your bird feeders, hide peanuts in your potted plants and pelt you with walnut shells. Yep, they are cute little things. What would make them even better? If they were pink and were made out of alcohol.

Pink Squirrel
3/4 oz creme de noyaux
3/4 oz white creme de cacao
1 1/2 oz heavy cream

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice, strain and serve in a martini glass

Oh my goodness, will you look at that! A sweet deer eating my sage. Ya know, you would taste better in alcohol form too.  I'm just gonna let you know now that I would never drink this cocktail, but you should have at it.

Sweet Deer Cockail (courtesy of Henry's)
30ml Jagermeister
Coke
1 Scoop of vanilla ice cream

Pour Jagermeister in to a tall glass.
Add scoop of ice cream.
Top up with coke.


Look at you, being all foxy and such! You need a Fox-tail!

Fox-tail 
1 oz. grapefruit vodka

1 oz. gin

1/2 oz. coconut cream
1/2 oz. orange juice
1 oz. raspberry/blueberry juice
Fill a cocktail shaker half-full with crushed ice.
Add ingredients
Shake and serve in a martini glass

Oh little woodland animals, how I love thee. Even though you scurry around and laugh at my lack of freedom. That's okay, I laugh at your lack of opposable thumbs. For you my furry friend, can not hold a martini glass. HA!

Surf's Up!

Is winter over yet? I may have to escape to some sunshine soon.  I need some sand between my toes  and waves crashing on the shore.

I want to be on the beach, warm, sun beating down on me, watching the surfers ride big waves. I can smell the salt water right now. Ahhhhh......since I can't actually go to a warm beach (I'm not sure one exists in the Pacific Northwest)I can watch Endless Summer and dream about riding the waves. This is a classic movie with great music and phenomenal surfing. Although it was filmed in 1966, the documentary still holds strong and has been considered by many to be the ultimate surf movie.

Okay, okay....I can't mention surfing without mentioning Point Break. If you knew my extreme dislike for Keanu Reeve, you would know that I am basically clinching my teeth writing about this one. I can't help it, this movie is so over the top ridiculous that it makes it a blast to watch and the surfing is great! Did I mention that it has crazy Gary Busey in it too. C'mon, you know you love this movie. Surfers turn bank robbers, it's so perfect (except for Keanu Reeves, BLECH!).

Ohhh....I can feel my bones warming up as we speak. Oh wait, they are getting chilly again just thinking about the animated movie Surf's Up! This is a very cute movie about surfing penguins. It's  so very wrong but it does have a great message and voice acting by some great people like Jeff Bridges and Diedrich Bader. I love the native penguins that plan on eating the chicken but find out that squid on a stick taste just like chicken, cause you know, everything taste like chicken.


Mmm.....sun, surf, sand....I need you right now. I think that I am going to fill up the kiddie pool with warm water and grab my board. I wonder how long it would take me to teach the pups "Cowabunga!" 

Winner Winner! Chicken Dinner!

Yahoo! Thanks to everyone who entered the book giveaway! You guys rock my socks!

The winner of The Sewing In A Straight Line is TERI! Way to go Teri! Rock on with your bad self!


The winner of Sew What You Love is DIGITAL MISFIT! Oh yeah! You won! Get Funky!


If you would please email me your addresses and in the subject line write blog winner, I will mail them out to you ASAP!


Thanks again for all that entered and stay tune for more fun and more prizes.

Perfection

Tonight I was taking my usual hot relaxing bath and reading one of many house magazines. As I was reading and trying to relax, the images in the magazine made me long for a perfect winter home. I began to wish that my life was as perfect as the picture was.

I sunk lower in the bathtub and began to wish for a candlelit claw foot bathtub. Music playing around me. Instead, I had a dog barking at me, waking me from my fantasy, I looked over to see Jujube demanding dinner and Pete whining behind her.

After my bath, I continued to read the magazine and looked at the wonderful food being served on the finest china. Instead, I had a store bought chicken and rice-a-roni.

I was determined to finish the magazine and decided to head upstairs to lay in bed and read. Of course, the bed in the magazine was made with fresh winter white linens, perfectly folded and fluffed. I looked at my bed,which probably hadn't been made since I moved in and what did resemble the little bit of order was destroyed in seconds by three little dogs digging around to find their spots.

OMP climbed in to bed beside me, I secretly wished that he would recite the poem from the back of the magazine I just finished. "Your eyes are like waves in the ocean..." I'm pretty sure no love poem started with, "Can you hand me the Tums?"

As I sat there, with my eyes closed, OMP reached over and kissed me, "Are you okay?" he asked. I thought back to the entire magazine, with its photoshopped pictures, its perfect dinner, beautiful furniture and luscious winter settings and looked at my bed, with its sheets from Target, laundry piled up in the chair that has yet to be put away and the three dogs who have managed to take over my entire life. I let out a sigh and began to respond but was quickly cut off by Lola burping in a way that should be outlawed in twenty states and in no way could come from a dog of her size or stature.

I thought to my self for a moment. Then I settled in relaxing and thinking "I've never been happier in my entire life."

I'm sure I could have all those things I saw in the magazine but would life be real for me? Would it make me laugh? Cry? Scream at the top of my lungs? I don't think so. My life is far from perfect, but it is my life and it makes me happy. All the dirty piles of clothes, the rice-a-roni dinners, and lack of bed space make up the happiness in my life. Reality is wonderful. It keeps me humble and allows me to see and appreciate the little things in life. A kiss, a small puppy warming my toes, and Target flannel sheets-all the best things in my life. Allow your reality to make you happy too.

If Pete Were a Celebrity...

If Pete were a celebrity, he would be Clark Gable. The resemblance is uncanny.

I can't even tell the difference.

Yeah, this is what I do instead of watching award shows. 

Feel Good Friday!

FINALLY! Friday! I am SOOO happy that it's Friday. You guys have no idea! 

It's Friday and what better way to make you feel good than to have a giveaway. Oh, did I mention that there are TWO prizes! You heard me right!

Ya know what I realized, I am not very good at sewing. I can embroider and cross stitch pretty well but actually sew a straight line, forget about it. That's why I am so glad that Brett Bara wrote the amazing book, Sewing A Straight Line. She gives you step by step guides that even the most sewing challenged (cough*raises hand) can follow. Apparently she has an one hour skirt you can make, I don't think she knows me very well... 28 great project will keep you extra busy during the winter season.

Remember in the last paragraph when I said I wasn't very good at sewing, well, nothing has changed in this paragraph. I still can't sew but that doesn't stop me from looking at the amazing projects in Sew What You Love by Tanya Whelan. Ranging from a super cute French-inspired day dress to an easy to make ottoman, this book has you covered. You get 30 projects, tips and pattens. Score!

Now that I have you drooling for these amazing books, here's what you have to do to win them:  Just leave a comment and tell me which book you want to win. That's it, you don't have to put it on Facebook or tweet it or whatever else is out there. Just one entry, telling me which book you want. Easy Peasy. The winners will be announced next Thursday. 

And for those of you who don't want to enter, here's some cute puppies for you. Happy Friday! 

Dilly Days

Have you ever had one of those days when you knew getting out of bed would be nothing but trouble? Well, today was one of those days. First off, the pups decided 4:30am would be a good time to get up. Okay, not a big deal, I can do that.


Get to work, dealing with the same thing I always do, bad people doing bad things. Okay, again, I can deal with that.

Then I get a call, my bank account has been hacked and some scumbag has decided to go shopping on my dime. To add salt to the injury, the jerk has lousy taste!


Finally, I get home and our recycling has blown all over the backyard and into the pond. I pick it all up and let's just say, the dogs are excellent at landmines and their placement.

I just sat down and cried for a minute, then looked up at Lola and I could have sworn she said, "Mom, treat yo' self." I did just that, Dilly bar in one hand, drinky drink in another, I settled into a hot bath and enjoyed my fantastic frozen treat and a trashy magazine.

Now I can face the rest of the night and even tomorrow...I might just need one more Dilly bar.

Remember, even in the worst situations, treat yo' self, but hands off the Dilly bars, their mine!

Feel Good Friday

Thank you Mary Elizabeth

Man! This week was LOOONNNGGG! I swear! It took forever for Friday to get here and now that it is, I'm gonna par-tay! Whoop! Whoop!


I know the holidays are over but I can't resist this snowman from Sweet Elise. It's still winter, so he counts! So stinking cute! PS-All of her pictures are beautiful and she has a few free patterns. AWE-SOME!

I love this idea and I love Camille Styles. So many beautiful pictures and great ideas.

Rodeo season is gearing up, better polish my buckle and get my duds ready. If my plan goes right, I'll be roping  the pups and OMP in no time! I'm pretty sure all I need is a lasso and these gloves.

Replace the cat with a small black and tan dog...you have our house, oh, and add a little pee into the mixture, then you definitely have our house.

Well my favorite cats and kittens, it's time for me to get out and enjoy the day! I have puppies to snuggle with,  an OMP to kiss  and chocolate to consume. I know, it's rough...

Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there's always something we could be grateful for.

- Barry Neil Kaufman

Treating Myself

2012! Or as I like to call it, Treat Yo' Self! That's right! I have deemed 2012 to be the year of Treat Yo' Self.

The beginning of Treat Yo' Self is all about getting rid of negativity. How can you truly treat yourself if you are pinned down by negative garbage? Flush that crap down the toilet, take the garbage to the curb. Get rid of it!

In a bad relationship? Well, treat yo' self and send it packing! A one sided friendship-So long sucker! Cause you are treating yo' self to some good positive vibes.

Now, treating yourself hasn't nothing to do with material goods (although, I am gonna treat myself to some fine leather goods sometime this year). It's all about doing what is good for you. This includes body and spirit.

Wanna know the way I kicked off my treat yo' self year? I took a nice hot bubble bath, poured me a glass of champagne and then ate a piece of chocolate cake. Why? Cause I am treating myself! Will I do this every night-of course not, I'll mix up chocolate cake for bons bons. I mean I'm not going to be completely overindulgent. Please!

So, say good-bye to those resolutions of starving yourself or trying to change someone and treat yo' self to some decadent and happy living. You deserve it! Maybe if we all treat ourselves, we will treat others in the same way and it will become a happy, fun revolution!

This week I am treating myself to letting go of crappy relationships and nurture ones that make me feel great about myself and being in this world. What will you do this week to treat yo' self?  C'mon people! Indulge!

Tie One On Tuesday

It feels like it's been forever since we have had a Tie One On Tuesday. Oh, how I've missed it. Trust me, I haven't missed a cocktail but I've missed sharing them with you. In honor of you, the loyal reader, I have taken some requests.

My friend AlwaysInspired asked me to make up a mocktail for her since right now she can't have cocktails. Okay,  let me see what I have in my recipe book...

Mamarita
Ingredients:
1 ounce agave nectar
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce orange juice
3 ounces organic limeaid
1 lime wheel
rimming salt

Directions:
Rim a margarita glass and set aside.
Stir agave nectar and lemon juice in the bottom of a mixing glass until nectar dissolves.
Add orange juice, limeaid, and ice, then shake vigorously.
Strain into the margarita glass, and serve with a lime wheel on the rim.

My other friend, Digital Misfit, well....she needs a saucy beverage to go with her saucy new year.

Heidi's Saucy New Year
Ingredients
2 oz. Banana Liquor
2 oz.Vodka
2 oz. Whiskey
2 oz. Peach Schnapps
3 oz. Cranberry juice
3 oz. Pineapple Juice

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a glass filled with ice and serve to your saucy sweetie.

And finally, a dear friend, probably my best friend asked for something she could share with her sweetie on a romantic night. Okay, I'll fess up, the best friend is me and the sweetie is OMP.


Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Ingredients
1 oz. Godiva, dark chocolate
1 oz. Liqueur, strawberry
1 oz. Schnapps, strawberry
2 oz. Tequila Rose
1 oz. Vodka, strawberry
1 pinch Chocolate Shavings

Directions:

 Put ice, vodka, tequila, schnapps, liqueur, and Godiva in a shaker.
Shake and pour contents into a martini glass.
Garnish with chocolate shavings


There ya go my wonderful reading audience, a few drinks for a few occasions. Go out, do what you will with these wonderful recipes, spread the word that Tie One On Tuesday is back, baby! 

The Year is 2012...

The future....our future....2012. Did you think we would make it? Do you think the world will end? Apparently movies of the past didn't have much faith in the future...

One of my favorite movies and probably one of the bleakest portrayals of the future is Blade Runner. This "cyberpunk" film shows a young Harrison Ford in one of his finest roles. Ford plays a Blade Runner, a man who hunts down replicants and terminates them. A plot thickens as several of the replicants go rogue and Harrison is forced to find them. Part film noir, part science fiction, this movie does not fail to keep you attention.

Okay, where is my hover skateboard? I believe that Marty McFly had one in Back to the Future II and I would like mine now. Listen, science, you have three years to get on that so start moving! Back to the Future II is the sequel to the hugely successful Back to the Future and guess what, this one was equally as great! Marty goes back, forward and back again to make sure that his future is secure. I love that they had the majority of the cast back in this one, the only one missing was Cripsin Glover who went nutty in asking for crazy amounts of money. How to solve that, just kill off the character...

Homeland Security, Ipods to download computerized music, corporations are bigger than ever...hmmmm...okay, this future is the dimmest of all. Am I watching the news? Nope just 1984. This movie is not something you want to watch if you want uplifting. A lot of the references are now reality (albeit in more subtle ways) and the darkness of the movie definitely transports you into a time that you hope you will never see in it full fruition.

Whether you are flying around on your skateboard or thinking of ways to escape Big Brother, these films will transport you into a time that will have you longing for the good ol' years. Just remember, the future has yet to be written and can be changed-so for the love of all things holy, let's please stop Michael Bay from making another movie!

Scrappy New Year!

Scrappy New Year! It was party time at Casa de Pedersen
Lola was ready to PAR-TAY


We had a party crasher, but they brought nuts, so we didn't mind.


Jujube busted out the tunes. She has a lovely voice.



Poor Pete, he just couldn't hang with the big dogs..



Here's to 2012! May it be filled with fun, love and prosperity. Thank you for sticking by me, reading this silly blog and bringing a smile to my face. Love ya!